20yo, chronic knee pain keeping me up at night.
Posted , 4 users are following.
I'm 20 years old and female. Around 9 I got Osgood schlaughter disease and since then I've been in and out of physical therapy with constant knee pain. At 15 (2010) I had a lateral release performed on both knees due to a dislocating Patella. Since then, I have also had a shoulder surgery for a constantly dislocating shoulder (plus 4 tears). I have dislocated or subluxed hips, toes,elbows, knees, shoulders, patellas, ribs...
Basically, my whole body is loose and has many problems. One of my knees though is really bad at this point with pain down to medial mid shin and up the IT band. My knees hyperextend around 30 degrees and bend 4 directions in general.
Anytime I go to a doctor they just send me to pt without doing new tests. How can I convey to a doctor that my knee pain is significant, keeping me up at night and leading me to tears during an easy 5 minute bike ride?
0 likes, 4 replies
sueisobel naomi05886
Posted
The reason for this is the main thigh muscle (the quadriceps) attaches to this bony
lump. When our bones grow our muscles have to stretch so during a growth spurt
the thigh muscle becomes tight.
When you play sports the muscle then pulls on the bone causing pain and swelling.
The more this happens the larger the lump becomes.
It usually affects those:
• Between ten and 15 years old
• Who are having a ‘growth spurt’
• Involved in sports, usually sports that involve running and jumping.
There is nothing you can do to stop Osgood Schlatters. It will stop when you stop growing. However the following will help to relieve the symptoms.
Rest
• Cut down on the time you spend playing sport till the pain has gone
• Avoid sports that involve a lot of running or jumping. Swimming can be a useful substitute.
Ice
• Ice the affected area for ten to 15 minutes especially after activity
• Make sure you protect the skin by wrapping the ice in a towel.
Elevation
• Elevate the leg when painful and swollen especially after sports.
Pain relief
• Pain relieving medication may reduce pain and swelling but you need to discuss options with a pharmacist or your GP
Gentle muscle stretches
Hold stretches for 30 seconds three times a day.
It may take several weeks or months for the pain to completely stop. In most people, Osgood Schlatters goes away on its own with a little rest and time.
However if you ignore the pain and play through it, the condition may get worse and be more difficult to treat.
When the pain is completely gone, you can slowly return to your previous level of activity.
With future growth spurts the pain may return therefore keep doing the stretches and follow the advice given"""
I have copied the above and hi-lighted the must do's. I hope it is of use to you.
Once the pain has subsided, do quads and hamstring exercises. Do absolutely nothing that involves twisting. If you have to wear braces, do so, especially when you exercise (get the ones with metal down the sides to give you more stability).
I cannot answer the rest of your query, but would suggest you NOT show other people what you can do, unless it is to a medical professional, as each time you do so the joints will become weaker. Researsh what muscular strength building exercises you can do. You are still young and hopefully as your skeleton matures it becomes more stable. If you can find a good sports doctor (as opposed to your doctor) do so. Are you in the US or UK (UK I might be able to help, but not US).
If the need to exercise is overwhelming, try swimming, that way you can exercise (even resistance training) without stressing your body too much.
I hope you find help soon (have you had the "You'll grow out of it" sermon yet??) There is an element of truth in it, but you have to work at it.
Good luck
naomi05886 sueisobel
Posted
I highly doubt I'll grow out of any pain since arthritis and joints are only supposed to get worse over the years
david55379 naomi05886
Posted
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Oldfatguy1 naomi05886
Posted